Serving and Protecting

This random post appeared on my facebook news feed recently by Emma Isabella. I don’t know her, but she shared a compelling and touching story by Emanuel Dotch, who’s a police officer for the Pritchard, Alabama, police department.

“Tonight while I was out riding around looking for something to eat, I was riding on I-10 and I noticed this elderly lady driving by herself headed towards Florida.”

“I noticed that she was weaving all over her lane and at one point she nearly side swiped a truck to her right, they blew the horn and she eased over to the other lane so I decided to pull her over to check on her. I got her stopped and she told me that she was trying to make it to Pensacola, so I asked where was she coming from and she stated she was coming from San Antonio.”

“She told me that she was OK and that she could make it to P’cola so I advised her that she wasn’t gonna make it driving like that so I asked when was the last time she ate anything and she told me around lunch time so I escorted her to Waffle House on DIP.”

“I sat outside in the car until she finished eating. She walked out and tried to offer me some money, but I told her I couldn’t accept that because it’s part of my job to protect and serve so she asked me would I accept a hug and I told her I would do that.”

“The Moral of the story is if we just look out for each other this would be a Better Country. I guess I don’t have to work for a Major Police Department to be able to help someone in need…I Still Love This Job!!!”

Several short observations.

#1 I wish there more stories told about the kind deeds done by our police officers. It seems they only make the news when something bad occurs.

#2 I supposed the officer could have given her a ticket for reckless driving. But he chose to exercise mercy. A good lesson for us when we feel like “handing out tickets” to those who trespass against us. Mercy withholds what one deserves. “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7).

#3 Grace led the officer to buy the woman a Waffle House dinner. I doubt that’s in his job description. But he went above and beyond. Grace gives to others something they haven’t earned. Like God sending Jesus to die for our sins. The “Gospel of grace” will compel us to be more gracious in helping our fellow man.

#4 The picture posted showed a young black police officer and an older white woman. Think about it. At this moment in time, race was not an issue. Just a man serving and protecting, and a woman expressing her gratitude.

Finally, regardless of your job, who can you serve today? Or protect from some potential danger?

Consider these two familiar passages and look for an application in your life.

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12).

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman